News

by: Don Rebel

GOLDEN BOYS

Hollidaysburg (15-5) won the District 6 Class 5A baseball championship this season, beating Central Mountain in the D-6 finals, 9-1, and then they shut down City League champion Obama Academy in a 5A state preliminary round game, 5-1.

In the opening round of the PIAA playoffs, Hollidaysburg (15-5) defeated Franklin Regional, 4-2.

Now the Golden Tigers try to knock off a third straight area team when they battle WPIAL champion Penn-Trafford (21-3) at Point Stadium in Johnstown at 4 p.m. Thursday.

The Warriors were led by Ian Temple and Carmen Metcalfe, who each had two hits and an RBI in P-T’s first round win over Lower Dauphin, 3-2.

On Friday, WPIAL runner-up Bethel Park (16-7) will take on District 12 champion Monsignor Bonner (18-8) at Cumberland Valley at 2 p.m.

These same two teams met in the state quarterfinals last year as Kevin McGonigle was 3 for 3 with a home run and two RBI as the Friars eliminated the two-time defending PIAA champion Black Hawks, 3-1.

ZERO TOLERANCE

The WPIAL Class 6A softball champions were in fine form Monday, whitewashing District 10 champion McDowell in Erie, 11-0.

Anna Kalkowski was 3 for 4 with a triple for the Raiders while start pitcher Lexie Hames struck out 12 Trojans in five innings.

It was the 12th time Seneca Valley had blanked its opponents, but it was only the second shutout in the Raiders’ last 10 games.

Seneca Valley (22-1) will take on the No. 3 team out of District 1, North Penn (22-3), at Chambersburg at 4 p.m.

5A FINALISTS ADVANCE

The two teams that played for WPIAL 5A softball gold enjoyed an offensive bonanza in the opening round of the PIAA postseason as Armstrong and Thomas Jefferson combined to score 30 runs Monday.

Shelby Cloak, Jessie Pugh, Jordyn Klingensmith and Lily Guthrie reached base three times as the WPIAL champion River Hawks rolled past Latrobe, 13-2.

Zoe Krizan and Allie Chalovich combined for five hits and nine RBIs in leading the Jaguars past District 3 runner-up Solanco, 17-4.

The two District 7 teams must win one more game before a district title game rematch is set in the state semifinals.

Armstrong (19-3) will go up against District 6 champion Central Mountain (15-5) at Heindl Park in DuBois at 1:30 p.m.

Thomas Jefferson (13-8) next takes on District 1 runner-up West Chester East (16-8) at Chambersburg at 2 p.m.